Bennington, VT — After more than five decades serving the community, Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery has been sold, marking the first change in ownership since the business was founded by Jay and Joan Zwynenburg.
Located on South Street, Jay’s Art Shop has long been a fixture in downtown Bennington, known for its wide range of art supplies, custom framing services, and creative materials. Over the years, the store became a reliable resource for artists, students, and schools throughout the region, while also offering a broad selection of gifts, greeting cards, and seasonal items for everyday shoppers.
Founded in the early 1970s, the business grew alongside Bennington’s arts community, maintaining a steady presence through decades of change in both retail and downtown life. Its longevity and familiarity have made it one of the area’s most recognizable small businesses.
The business was purchased by Bennington native Jasen Frederickson, who assumed operations on March 18.
The sale was announced by Dan Zwynenburg, who, along with his wife Mel, operated the store over the past year following Jay Zwynenburg’s retirement, helping guide the business through its final chapter of family ownership.
“Our family has always appreciated the support this community has shown Jay’s over the years,” said Zwynenburg. “It was important to us that the business continue, and we’re glad to see it remain locally owned.”
As the transition moves forward, the store will retain its core offerings while introducing updates to product selection and pricing. Recent changes include expanded greeting card lines, more accessible pricing across departments, and improvements to custom framing services through updated systems and processes. Longtime employee Kristen Usted will remain on staff, continuing her role as a familiar and trusted presence for customers during this transition. Sam del Corral, who has been assisting with cataloging the store’s fine art print collection, will also continue as part of the store’s next phase. The transition reflects a collaborative effort over the past year to stabilize and reposition the business while maintaining its long-standing role in the community.
Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery continues to operate at its longtime location at 115 South Street in downtown Bennington.
Additional details about the next phase of the business will be shared in the coming weeks.